Obituary - Leonard Blumenthal

Leonard “Len” Blumenthal, a 67-year Parkdale resident, died Friday, Oct. 10, 2003, at the age of 80. He was born in Brewster, Neb., on April 28, 1923, to Otto and Rosa Blumenthal. He was one of five children who moved to Mission, S.D., with their parents during the Great Depression. Looking for better job opportunities brought the family to the Parkdale area in 1933.

Leonard attended primary school in Parkdale and graduated from Parkdale High School in 1936. He excelled in mathematics. Leonard married Beverly Cox, a native of the Hood River Valley, on April 14, 1945. Leonard worked for more than 35 years in the woods for Parkdale Lumber Company as a cat skinner, high climber and truck driver. Before he retired in 1988 he spent 10 years as a maintenance worker for the Oregon Department of Transportation.

He had many hobbies and interests. He was a patron Eagle of the Hood River F.O. Eagles. He also belonged to the Upper Valley Lions Club and the Parkdale Grange. For many years Leonard was a volunteer for the Parkdale Fire Department.

In 1971 Leonard and Beverly were charter members of the Chinook Sportsman Association in Chinook, Wash. It is a private fishing camp at Baker Bay on the mouth of the Columbia River. Leonard still holds the record for catching the biggest salmon, a 45-pound chinook.

When he wasn’t fishing Leonard liked to play golf. On Nov. 18, 1997, he scored a hole-in-one on the No. 2 hole at the Hood River Golf Course. For many years he bowled for McIsaac’s Store in Parkdale and celebrated when he and his teammates won the league championship. He was an avid card player and especially enjoyed rummy and pinochle. He always enjoyed a game of cribbage and after purchasing a computer he spent many pleasurable hours playing video golf and fishing games.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Beverly, of Parkdale. Also surviving is his oldest son, Stanley and wife Charlotte Blumenthal of Oakridge, Ore. One brother and one sister survive Leonard; Earl Blumenthal of Centralia, Wash., and Evah Stoutt of Wilsonville, Ore. Also surviving are four grandchildren, Rebecca Duda of Beaverton, Jeremy Blumenthal, who is serving in the U.S. Navy and is stationed in Norfolk, Va., Joshua Blumenthal of Norfolk, and Jennifer Yankee of Kelso, Wash. Six great-grandchildren also survive. Preceding him in death were his brother LeRoy in 1943, brother Ray in 1958, son Robert in 1955, and son Danny LeRoy, a park ranger for the State of Oregon who was killed in the line of duty on April 27, 1999.

Funeral arrangements were coordinated by Anderson’s Tribute Center and included a viewing for family and friends at Anderson’s Tribute Center from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 14. The funeral service is set for 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 15, at the Parkdale Community Church with Rev. Don Gibbs officiating. Burial will be in the Parkdale Cemetery.

A reception will be held in the church Fellowship Hall. Memorial contributions can be given in Leonard’s memory to the Upper Valley Lions or the Parkdale Grange through Anderson’s Tribute Center, 1401 Belmont, Hood River, OR 97031.